U.S. patent application number 11/292255 was filed with the patent office on 2006-12-21 for mounting apparatus for a fan.
This patent application is currently assigned to HON HAI Precision Industry CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Li-Ping Chen, Chen-Lu Fan.
Application Number | 20060285292 11/292255 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36842430 |
Filed Date | 2006-12-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060285292 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fan; Chen-Lu ; et
al. |
December 21, 2006 |
Mounting apparatus for a fan
Abstract
A mounting apparatus for a fan includes a cabinet (30) for
receiving a fan (10), a bracket (50) for receiving the cabinet (30)
and a lever (60) pivotally mounted on the bracket (50). The cabinet
(30) includes a securing tab (36) protruding from therein. The
lever (60) includes a blocking portion (63) corresponding to the
securing tab (36) of the cabinet (30). Wherein when the lever (60)
rotates back, the blocking portion (63) of the lever (60) abuts
against the securing tab (36) of the cabinet (30) to secure the
cabinet (30) into the bracket (50).
Inventors: |
Fan; Chen-Lu; (Tu-Cheng,
TW) ; Chen; Li-Ping; (Tu-Cheng, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MORRIS MANNING MARTIN LLP
3343 PEACHTREE ROAD, NE
1600 ATLANTA FINANCIAL CENTER
ATLANTA
GA
30326
US
|
Assignee: |
HON HAI Precision Industry CO.,
LTD.
Tu-Cheng City
TW
|
Family ID: |
36842430 |
Appl. No.: |
11/292255 |
Filed: |
December 1, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
361/695 ;
165/80.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H05K 7/20172 20130101;
Y10T 16/469 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
361/695 ;
165/080.3 |
International
Class: |
H05K 7/20 20060101
H05K007/20; F28F 7/00 20060101 F28F007/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 18, 2005 |
CN |
200520060286.9 |
Claims
1. A fan module assembly comprising: a fan module having a securing
tab protruding therefrom; a bracket for receiving the fan module;
and a lever pivotally mounted on the bracket, the lever comprising
a blocking portion corresponding to the securing tab; wherein the
blocking portion of the lever abuts against the securing tab of the
fan module to secure the fan module into the bracket.
2. The fan module assembly as described in claim 1, further
comprising a spring for elastically connecting the lever to the
bracket.
3. The fan module assembly as described in claim 2, wherein the
lever is L-shaped.
4. The fan module assembly as described in claim 2, wherein the
lever comprises an operating arm and a pushing arm perpendicular
thereto.
5. The fan module assembly as described in claim 4, wherein the
bracket has a plurality of receiving housing for capturing the
cabinet, the operating arm is mounted in one of the receiving
housings, and the pushing arm extends into an adjacent receiving
housing.
6. The fan module assembly as described in claim 4, wherein the
operating arm and the bracket respectively form a claw for the
spring engaging thereto.
7. The fan module assembly as described in claim 4, wherein the
blocking portion is formed on the operating arm, and the operating
arm further comprises a pressing tab perpendicular to the blocking
portion.
8. The fan module assembly as described in claim 1, wherein a
guiding block protrudes from a side wall of the fan module.
9. The fan module assembly as described in claim 8, wherein the
bracket comprises a bottom wall and a plurality of spaced side
walls perpendicular to the bottom wall, and each of the side walls
defines a slot for the guiding block sliding therein.
10. A mounting apparatus for a fan comprising: a cabinet for
receiving a fan; a bracket for capturing the cabinet, the bracket
comprising a bottom wall and a plurality of spaced side walls
perpendicular to the bottom wall, an opening is defined in the side
wall; and a lever pivotally mounted on the bracket, the lever
comprising an pushing arm extending through the opening and
abutting against the cabinet, wherein when the lever is rotated,
the pushing arm pushes the cabinet out of the bracket.
11. The mounting apparatus for a fan as described in claim 10,
wherein a securing tab protrudes from a bottom wall of the cabinet,
and the lever comprises an operating arm having a blocking portion
for coupling with the securing tab.
12. The mounting apparatus for a fan as described in claim 11,
wherein the operating arm together with the pushing arm form an
L-shaped lever, and the operating arm of the lever further
comprises a pressing portion perpendicular to the blocking
portion.
13. The mounting apparatus for a fan as described in claim 11,
wherein the bracket has a plurality of receiving housings for
capturing the cabinets, the operating arm is mounted in one of the
receiving housings, and the pushing arm extends into an adjacent
receiving housing.
14. The mounting apparatus for a fan as described in claim 10,
wherein the lever and the bracket respectively form a claw for a
spring engaging thereto.
15. The mounting apparatus for a fan as described in claim 10,
wherein a guiding block protrudes from a side wall of the
cabinet.
16. The mounting apparatus for a fan as described in claim 15,
wherein each of the side walls of the bracket defines a slot for
the guiding block sliding therein.
17. An electronic device comprising: a functional component module
of said electronic device; a bracket for accommodating more than
one module including said functional component module installable
in said electronic device, said functional component module movable
into said bracket along a first direction; a controller movably
attachable to one of said functional component module and said
bracket, said controller capable of moving along a second direction
different from said first direction to secure said functional
component module in said bracket when said functional component
module completely moves into said bracket, and moving along an
opposite direction to said second direction to expel said
functional component module out of said bracket along said first
direction.
18. The electronic device as described in claim 17, wherein said
controller is a level pivotally mounted on said bracket and
resiliently movable relative to said bracket.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a mounting apparatus, and
more particularly to a fan mounting apparatus used in a computer or
a sever.
[0003] 2. Background of the Invention
[0004] Electronic devices typically generate heat during operating
due to the flow of electricity through electronic components housed
within the device. Electronic components may be damaged if this
heat is not removed. Generally, An electronic device uses a fan to
produce a flow of air for cooling the electronic components.
Conventionally, a fan is mounted in the electronic device by a
plurality of screws passing through corresponding holes of the fan,
making it difficult and time consuming to replace or remove the fan
for repair. Especially, in other electronic systems, such as
severs, a mass of heat is produced from much more electronic
components. So, redundant fans may be provided to increase speed
for cooling the components. Much more screws are needed to mount
the fans to the electronic device, making the replacement and
removal process more difficult.
[0005] Accordingly, what is needed is a mounting apparatus for fans
easily to be attached and removed from the electronic device
enclosure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] A mounting apparatus for a fan includes a cabinet for
receiving a fan, a bracket for receiving the cabinet and a lever
pivotally mounted on the bracket. The cabinet includes a securing
tab protruding from therein. The lever includes a blocking portion
corresponding to the securing tab of the cabinet. Wherein when the
lever rotates back, the blocking portion of the lever abut aganist
the securing tab of the cabinet to secure the cabinet into the
bracket.
[0007] Other advantages and novel features of the present invention
will be drawn from the following detailed description of preferred
embodiment with attached drawings, in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is an exploded isometric view of the preferred
embodiment of a mounting apparatus for a fan;
[0009] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the fan and the receiving
bracket in FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 3 is an pre-assembled view of the mounting apparatus of
FIG. 1, but viewed from another aspect; and
[0011] FIG. 4 is an assembled view of the mounting apparatus of
FIG. 1.
DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0012] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an apparatus for mounting a
functional component like a fan 10 in a computer or other
electronic devices includes a bracket 50 and a receiving cabinet 30
for accommodating the fan 10 to form a functional component module.
In the present embodiment, the mounting apparatus is used for
mounting a plurality of fans 10 in a chassis of the computer.
[0013] The receiving cabinet 30 includes a bottom wall 31, a pair
of opposite side walls 32 perpendicular to the bottom wall 31 and
another pair of side walls 33 adjacent to the side walls 32. A
receiving housing 35 for capturing a fan 10 is formed by the bottom
wall 31 and the side walls 32, 33. A securing tab 36 protrudes
downwards from the bottom wall 31. A guiding protrusion 37
protrudes from one of the side walls 32. A plurality of elastic
hooks 39 is formed at the top edge of the side walls 32 and 33.
Each of the elastic hooks 39 includes a cantilever 391 and a catch
portion 393. A gap is defined between the cantilever 391 and the
side wall 32 or 33 for providing elasticity to the cantilever
391.
[0014] The bracket 50 includes a bottom wall 51 and a plurality of
spaced side walls 53 perpendicular to the bottom wall 51. A pair of
flanges 55 and a pair of flanges 57 respectively extend from the
bottom wall 51 and the side walls 53. A plurality of receiving
housings 59 for capturing the cabinets 30 is formed by the bottom
wall 51, side walls 53 and the flanges 55 and 57. An opening 52 is
defined in the side wall 53. A slot 531 for the guiding protrusion
37 sliding therein is defined in each of the side walls 53. A claw
551 for one end of a spring 80 engaging thereto extends from one of
the flanges 55 of the bottom wall 51. A securing hole 571 is
defined in a corner of the receiving housing 59 adjacent to the
opening 52.
[0015] The bracket 50 further includes an L-shaped lever 60 used as
a controller pivotally mounted on the flange 57 of the side wall
53. The controller, i.e., the lever 60 includes an operating arm 61
for operation and an pushing arm 67 perpendicular to the operating
arm 61. The pushing arm 67 extends into an adjacent receiving
housing 59 through the opening 52. That is, the operating arm 61 is
mounted in one receiving housing 59, and the pushing arm 67 is in
an adjacent receiving housing 59. A pivotal hole 68 corresponding
to the securing hole 571 is defined in the operating arm 61. The
lever 60 is pivotally mounted on the bracket 50 by a pivotable
fastener 70 passing through the pivotal hole 68 and the securing
hole 571. The operating arm 61 further includes a blocking portion
63 corresponding to the securing tab 36. A claw 69 is formed on the
operating arm 61 for the other end of the spring 80 engaging
thereto.
[0016] In assembly, the fan 10 is pushed into the cabinet 30 to
form a fan module. The hooks 39 are forced to deform outwardly by a
side edge of the fan 10. When the fan 10 is completely received in
the receiving housing 35 of the cabinet 30, the hooks 39 rebound
back to an initial state. A top 11 of the fan 10 is engaged by the
catch portions 393 of the hooks 39 and the fan 10 is secured into
the cabinet 30. Then, the fan module of the fan 10 and the cabinet
30 is inserted into the receiving housing 59 and the guiding block
37 of the cabinet 30 slides in the slot 531 of the side wall 53.
Referring to FIG. 3, when the fan module enters into the receiving
housing 59, the pushing arm 67 is pushed to drive the lever 60 to
be rotated. The blocking portion 63 of the operating arm 61 is
pivoted to abut against the securing tab 36 of the cabinet 30.
Thereby, the fan module can not be withdrawn from the bracket 50
due to the blocking portion 63 and the securing tab 36. After a
plurality of fan modules are secured into the bracket 50, the
bracket 50 is mounted in a computer or sever enclosure (not shown),
then the fans 10 are all secured into the enclosure (referring to
FIG. 4).
[0017] Referring also to FIG. 3, to remove the fan from the bracket
50 for repair or replacement, the pressing tab 65 of the operating
arm 61 is deflected outwardly to cause the lever 60 to be rotated
about the pivotable fastener 70. The blocking portion 63 of the
operating arm 61 disengages from the securing tab 36. The pushing
arm 67 is pivoted, thereby pushing the cabinet 30 out of the
bracket 50. Then the fan is removed from the bracket 50. Due to the
spring 80, the lever 60 comes back to an initial state for next
operation.
[0018] It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous
characteristics and advantages have been set forth in the foregoing
description of preferred embodiments, together with details of the
structure and function, the disclosure is illustrative only, and
changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape,
size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the
invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning
of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.
* * * * *